A good high-top would be great with either long-pant overalls or short-pant overalls. Here’s a nice basic black pair from Common Projects

COCKTAILS

(PB NOTE -We will begin with my Favorite!)

OLD FASHION

The origins of the word “cocktail” are lost to history, but the first definition we find in print comes from an 1806 newspaper from upstate New York. A cocktail is called “a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters…” Over the course of the 19th century, the cocktail picked up a number of additions and refinements: liqueurs, fortified wines, various bits of garnish, et cetera. Eventually, some drinkers came to prefer a simpler form of cocktail, the type their grandfathers might have enjoyed, and so they’d ask the bartender to make them an “old-fashioned” cocktail, of booze, sugar muddled into water to form a syrup, and bitters. (Source)

(PB NOTE: using flavored bitters can really spice up this traditional cocktail as well as trying different types of citrus)

GROOMING

It’s time to get rid of the wear and tear of winter with a good hand cream. (Men’s Society)

So I got this catalog in the mail yesterday and it really caught my eye. Not because of the clothes, per se, there is nothing at first glance that is particularly revolutionary between its pages, in fact you can find just about every style they offer in many catalogs and stores where you go to buy well-made casual menswear. What I liked about it was how it made me feel. It’s been a long time since I’ve picked up a catalog that made me actually want to peruse it.

It is a subtle but definite step into the direction of making flannel, khaki’s, Chukka boots and leather jackets a little more modern, yet keeping it rugged.

There is a sense of whimsy about it and the clothes really fit the brand. The whole of it evokes camping or being in the woods in the winter. Or even yet, being a well dressed-down hipster.

In looking on the website, because I honestly thought this was a spin-off company from a larger retailer trying to appeal to a hipper audience, I didn’t find much that made it personal to the founder Matt Cooper. But the designs are true to his design muse.

Like the name insinuates, he likes polished carbon and rough cobalt. Matt’s intention is to “design unique details into the clothing that will enhance your individual style”.

The quality of their product looks good overall and they do a fine job of offering a nice variety of categories, though very curated.

Best known for their “Fancy’ Black Bar of soap (you know I love that name), Hudson Made New York is an online retailer that sells wonderfully curated artisanal products to the likes of you and me from the Hudson Valley, North Country and Brooklyn.

Their packaging makes me weak in the knees. I do love detail and I especially love products that are presented with such love and care.

But I would be remiss if all I talked about was their individually boxed and hand packed and wrapped soaps and products.

Their philosophy is all about quality, craftsmanship and craft. The products look good, feel good and work well. They support their local communities by making an effort to resource within 100 miles of Hudson Valley and 100% American made. They are what the heart Americana is all about.